Vehicle-gear.



No. 709,069. 'Patentedv sept. 16, m02.

F. E. wlLcux. VEHICLE GEAR.

(Application led Oct. '12, 1901.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

Patented Sept. |6j, 1902. 1` y lo. 709,059I

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(I0 Model.)

i Il

Wg/lion, y

UNITED STATES ATIENT risica| FRANK E. `WILCOX, OF MECIIANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO L. E. HICKOK, OF MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

VEHICLE-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,069, dated September 16, 1902.

Application fuga 0050158112, 1901; semina. 78.4.08. (Nomad.)

To alt ful/1,01 it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. WILooX, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Mechanicsburg, in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Gears, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vehicle-gears; and the main object is the simplification of the 1o same by reducing` the number of parts, in-

creasing the strength by forming certain portions integral with each other, and the introduction of subordinate novelties of construction which shall improve the general appearance of the gear and constitute it a superimmeans for performing the requisite functions.

With this end in Vview my invention consists in certain novelties of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts herezo inafter set forth.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention and several modifications of certain parts constructed according to the best modes Ihave'so far devised for the practical application ofthe principle.

Figure l is a top plan view of the gear. Fig. 2 is a front end view of Fig. 1 in elevation. Fig. 3 is a `longitudinal section of Fig.

3o l on line m03 and in elevation. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified construction of the king-bolt. Fig..5\is a fragmentary portion of the integral axle and one of the ends of the lower member of tl1e fiftl1-wheel circle or bearing portion thereof. Fig. Gis a sectional View through the gear at the king-bolt and illustrating a modified interlocking arrangement of the king-bolt lug, brace-head, and head-block plate.

Referring to the several figures, the letter A designates the axle, which is of metal throughout; B, the lower circle of the fifthwheel, forged or otherwise formed integral with the axle orwith the ends of the semicircle integral therewith, the same having a flat upper `surface and in shape approximating the half of a complete circle, with its ends in this instance projecting slightly beyond the axle; C, a perforated 'lug in the rear of 5o the central part of the axle integral Atherewith and adapted to receive a king-bolt; D, the conical or tapering and upwardly-projecting portion of the lug, and E a recess of a conical or tapering shape in the lower surface of the lug.

F is a head-block plate of the form illustrated and provided with perforated lugs for the reception et' bolts which secure the headblock in place; G, the perforated king-bolt lug, located at the rear edge of the plate; H, 6o a recess of a tapering shape in the undersurface of lug G, which receives the projection l) of the axle-lug; I I, the reach-irons, formed integral with the head-block plate, and J are the reaches, of a well-known construction, interposed between the upper and lower portions `of the ends of Vthe reach-irons.

K is adouble or forked brace; L, the ends of the brace; M, bolts which pass through the reaches, reach-irons, and ends L of the forked 7o brace; N, a tapering-shaped and perforated brace-head; O, a recess or seat for a spring formed in the brace-head; P, a coiled spring within the recess; Q, the king-bolt; R, the

perforated head of the king-bolt, and S a nut on the king-bolt. i

T is the upper circle of the `fifth-wheel, which corresponds in shape and dimensions with the lower member B; U, perforated lugs by which the semicircular element T is bolted 8o to the reach-irons, and V designatesan antirattling device of a well-known type secured t o the upper member T and embracing the lower semicircular member B, as clearly shown.

Referring to Figs. 4 and G, the letter W designates the perforated ears of a modified construction of king-bolt, the said earsbeing adapted to support the end of a semi-elliptical spring. X is the interlocking lug and seat, 9o which consists in a simple reversal of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3,'the lug-in this modification being upon the lower surface o f the head-block plate and the seat therefor formed in the upper surface of the perforated king-bolt lug in the rear of the axle; Y, a downwardly-projecting perforated lug upon the under surface of the king-bolt lng and which receives the perforated brace-head, the

surfaces of the same being tapered, as indiroo cated, and Z is a concavo-convex or dished washer located between the brace and the nut upon the king-bolt.

From the foregoing specific description it becomes obvious that I have produced a Vehicle-gear which fulfils all the conditions set forth as the purpose of my invention, besides possessing*r other features of merit which will be recognized by those familiar with the art. It will be observed that the ends of the lower member of the fifth-wheel proper and the king-bolt lug are integral with the axle; that thereach-irons are integral with the headblock plate; that the bolts M imite the reachirons, reaches, and forked brace; that the head-block plate, brace-head, and king-bolt lug interlock, so that the king-bolt is relieved from all severe strains in service; that the king-boltis fixed so that the axle turns upon it; that the spring and spring-washer hold the brace-head so that it cannot move within or upon its seat, and that in the modified form of king-bolt ears are provided for the attachment of the end of a semielliptical spring which extends beneath the vehicle-body and likewise prevents the rotation of the said kingbolt when the axle is turned in curving.

Various modifications can of course be introduced in practice. I may omit the rear portion of the integral lower fifth-wheel semicircle or make it detachable from the end portions, (see Fig. 5,) which should in all cases be formed integral with the axle. The interlocking parts may also be varied, and such and similar changes will not be regarded as constituting substantial departures.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination in a vehicle-gear, of an axle having an integral perforated king-bolt lug in the rear thereof, and lower fifth-wheel end bearing portions separate from the lug and located at opposite sides thereof and formed integral with said axle; an upperlifth- Wheel member; a head-block plate; reachirons; a forked brace provided with a bracehead; and a king-bolt unitingthe head-block plate, brace-head, and lug in the rear of the axle.

Under some conditions f 2. The combination in a Vehicle-gear, of an axle having an integral perforated lug located in the rear thereof said lug being providedY with a recess and a projection, lower fifthwheel bearings separate from the lug; an upper fifth-wheel member; a head-block plate having a perforated lug; a brace having a perforated head; and a king-bolt; the lug of the head-block plate, axle-lug, and brace-head interlocking, whereby the king-bolt is relieved from severe strains.

3. The combination in a vehicle-gear, of a head-block plate provided with a `king-bolt lug; a perforated brace; a king-bolt; an upper circular fifth-wheel member T; and a metallic axle having a perforated king-bolt lug C located in the rear thereof and lower fifthwheel bearing portions separate from and located each side of and remote from the lug C; said king-bolt lug and bearing portions being formed integral with the body of the axle.

4. The combination in a vehicle-gear, of an axle having an integral and perforated lug C in the rear thereof, lower fifth-wheel bearings each side the lug; an upper fifth-wheel member; a head-block plate having a perforated lug G and a brace-headeach interlocking with the king-bolt lug; and a king-bolt provided with means for anchoring the same so it cannot turn relative to the axle.

5. The combination in a vehicle-gear, of an axle; a perforated king-bolt lug integral with the axle; a lower fifth-wheel member of circular shape, the ends being integral with the axle and the remaining portion secured to the said ends; an upper circular lifth-wheel member; a head-block plate with a perforated king-bolt lug; reach-irons; a lower brace; a king-holt; and means for securing the upper member of the fifth-wheel tothe reach-irons; the said king-bolt heilig passed through the lower brace, axle-lug, and lug of the headblock plate.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. WILCOX.

Witnesses:

S. N. EssINGER, H. M. ZUG. 

